Duke University may expel students for sex assault

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 12:26 PM.

DURHAM — Duke University students could be kicked out of the elite North Carolina school if they are found responsible for sexual assault committed beginning this fall.

Duke student affairs vice president Larry Moneta says the new guideline doesn't mean every offending undergraduate will face expulsion, but that will be the first consideration. The previous sanction in sexual assault cases was suspension from the university for between three and six semesters.

The change was approved by the campus Office of Student Conduct's Appellate Board, which meets annually with students, administrators and lawyers to revise conduct policy. Moneta said he supported the harsher penalty in hopes it will make clear how serious sexual misconduct is.

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published
without permission. Links are encouraged.

DURHAM — Duke University students could be kicked out of the elite North Carolina school if they are found responsible for sexual assault committed beginning this fall.

Duke student affairs vice president Larry Moneta says the new guideline doesn't mean every offending undergraduate will face expulsion, but that will be the first consideration. The previous sanction in sexual assault cases was suspension from the university for between three and six semesters.

The change was approved by the campus Office of Student Conduct's Appellate Board, which meets annually with students, administrators and lawyers to revise conduct policy. Moneta said he supported the harsher penalty in hopes it will make clear how serious sexual misconduct is.